MAIL CALL
from Pam McLeod Young in Graford, TX
On Nov. 6th, 2014 Mary Bess Rizer Johnson and I left our husbands behind in Texas and went on an amazing African Adventure. Our husbands did not want to go. Oh well, they get in the way when we're shopping anyway. We went to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland, Hazyview and Botswana. We saw amazing creatures and beautiful scenery. We saw Victoria Falls, the Grand Canyon of Africa, Blythe River Canyon, many many elephants, rhinos, hippos, zebras, cape buffalos, crocodiles, giraffes, hyenas, and, of course, lions. We really had a hard time getting up in the morning because we stayed up all night laughing about camp Waluta, old boyfriends, and all other Port Arthur and college adventures. It was a great time. We even rode on the back of Jock, the biggest elephant in the pack. Some things never change like our love of adventure and the love of old and dear friends. You see, Mary Bess and I go back to kindergarten. We have kept in touch through the years and share heartaches and happy times as well. She knows all my secrets and I know hers. Please don't ask! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my old and dear friends from TJ.
pamiefly@gmail.com also Mary Bess' e-mail: tjjohn200@aol.com
(What a wonderful story. You did EXACTLY what I wanted....sent in a story about classmates getting together. Of course, I didn't know any went to AFRICA together!)
from Georgia Peterson Winkler in Austin, TX
It is hard to believe it will be 2015, not sure where the time has gone.
All is good with us. We just had another grandchild added to the group, so now we have 4, 2 boys and 2 girls. They are a lot of fun.
Here's hoping everyone has a Happy New Year.
jg3a@swbell.net
from Perry Lee in Georgetown, TX
Lyn (Fraiser) and I moved to an active adult, a.k.a. retirement, community just west of Georgetown for a change in our life from what we grew up with in southeast Texas. It was a big move for us and we’ve enjoyed every second of it. Central Texas is beautiful.
After moving here we joined a local church and right away Lyn became involved in the music program as the piano accompanist. If you’ve never heard her play she is quite good, exceptional actually. As it turns out Bob Lilly (you’re a Cowboy fan, right?) lives in this community as well and is also a member of this church. When he’s not out of town on Sunday for a speaking engagement you can usually find him at church sitting in the congregation on the second row of the piano side. He immediately came to know Lyn because he recognized her talents right away, and he often tells her how much he enjoys listening to her play. He’s actually a very likable guy.
It has become a custom for one of the residents here to throw a big Christmas party the first of December to provide Christmas gifts through the USO for the Ft. Hood soldiers’ kids. The man who throws the party also goes to our church and knows how well Lyn plays so he has asked her the last few years to play the piano at his party for a sing-a-long of Christmas carols after the gifts are presented to the Ft. Hood representative.
After we arrived at the party this year we started milling around munching on finger food, chatting with people, and who walks in but Bob Lilly and his wife. Hard to miss this guy because, as we all know, the older we get the shorter we become...everyone except Bob. He’s still as tall as he was when he played for the Dallas Cowboys, and when he walked in he was, literally, head and shoulders above everyone else. Well, I’m watching him mingle with the guests as he walks into the room speaking with everyone along the way. When he sees Lyn he makes a bee line to her, gives her a big hug, tells her how much he enjoys her piano playing and how glad he was that she was at the party! I’m standing there watching and soaking this all in!
As we were driving home that evening I put my hand on her hand and said, “Remember how we started getting to know each other better in high school and then we started dating and got engaged while I was at Lamar? Well, I never in my wildest imagination would have dreamed during those years that the guy who was the reason why my dad and I would sit together in the den every Sunday afternoon and watch the Cowboys play…that this same guy who was the reason why I begged you to let me watch the Cowboys game on TV the night of our honeymoon, (she has reminded me of that every few years)…never would I have imagined that this same guy would one day be treating you like you were a celebrity!” I think she appreciated the moment.
That was a great evening and I can die a happy man now. My wife has finally forgiven me for watching a football game on our wedding night!
picmms@suddenlink.net
(I laugh each time I read this! Gary & Jody (Hopkins) Barbin lived next to Bob Lily in Waco for many years. You'll have to tell him that.)
from Pat Dionne Dombek '69 in Nashville, TX
Dec. 24
Tonight as I basked in the familiar sounding carols at the beautiful service our church had, for one brief, and comforting moment I was transported to Port Arthur, Texas my home. I was a little girl and at Christmas mass all dressed up nestled safely next to my mom and sitting next to my sister Sandra trying to be on my best behavior and trying to see how much money Daddy would put in the basket when it came around. Visions of relatives coming over and the smell of wonderful aromas and gifts from Santa awaited our return. That innocent thought back in time tugged on my heart ever so much. Being in Tennesee with no relatives and not having a mom and dad anymore sure hit home. But, I am so lucky to have those memories and will hold tight to them. Though I miss my family far away and long to see all their wonderful happy faces I am reminded that I am fortunate to have that very family though not right around the corner. My sister is also alone in Colorado with no one to spend Christmas with, but she also sees her good fortune. I pray for all of you to know love, peace and health. May you all feel the enchantment of the season and the peace and love that it inspires in us. Let the light we draw from it last us and be something to fall back on in less happier times. I pray that your talents are allowed to flourish and please others. I pray your heart sees the poor, the lonely, and the forgotten and you go a step beyond and help if only all you can give is an encouraging word, or a heartfelt hug. I pray when you see suffering it matters to you, and gives you pause to think and react. May you all have an open mind and a forgiving heart. I pray that all the helpless animals will find a loving home and that there would be no shelters or rescues needed. May all the homeless find a warm and safe place to lay their heads. Most of all I pray that we all as citizens of the world care about injustice intolerance, and cruelty and reach out to each other in a universe.
(taken off of Facebook)
from Fred Schneider '66 in Groves, TX
Dec. 25
Every night in Da Nang, the C-119 Shadow gun ship circled the base, with their powerful search lights, testing their deadly mini-guns. On Dec. 24th, 1971 they circled the base, playing Silent Night and Jingle Bells on their loud speakers. At first it made me feel terrible. But after a few minutes of thought, I realized they were trying to make things feel a little more like home for us all. The base commander stretched all the rules to try to improve our spirits. I got over my sadness and rejoiced.
Tonight, lest all of us all circle our Shadow gun ships in honor of our absent friends. God Bless America, and Merry Christmas to all.
from Sheridan Jones Thornell in Fred, TX
Dec. 25
I want to wish all my friends and family a Merry Christmas. I hope everyone has a Blessed New Year. I have struggled with loss of my Mom in 2010 and my husband, Robert Sr. in 2011. I was very sick in new years of 2012 and spent New Years Day at St. Mary Hospital with pneumonia. I came home with oxygen. I thank God everyday for being sick. It gave me the strength to quit smoking after forty years. Then, I struggled with depression and gained from 123 to 162 pounds within a year. Being strong willed and with a lot of prayers I have overcome that. What stuck in my head was someone at my 45th T.J. reunion said, “At our age we are supposed to have this weight.” I don't think so. My point being that no matter what we go through in our life, we can overcome. So to all of you, I pray no matter what your going through, hang in there. I've been three years a Non Smoker...Thank you to my friends for crying, laughing and listening to me.
fredtoy2010@hotmail.com
(Good advice! Thanks, Sheridan. I hope to use this to lose weight so I can become healthier!)
from Jeanette Constantine Granger in Groves
Dec. 31
Well, it is official. I now have a retired husband. Dennis has worked at his job for 45 years, When he started it was Texaco then it was Star Enterprise and now it is Motiva. He has seen a lot of change through the years and has worked with and for some amazing people. But, he says it was time to call it quits. The question has been, “Am I ready to have him home everyday all day?” Yes, I am. I hope that we will have the opportunity to travel to see our son's restaurant in Brooklyn, NY and other interesting things. Dennis is a very hard worker and I will be happy to see him doing something he enjoys like fossil hunting and wood working. He certainly deserves it.
denandjune@yahoo.com
from Carolyn Hebert (wife of faculty member, Alfred Hebert)
We went to Branson, MO and saw the Trail of Lights there after a chuck wagon meal and cowboy show, which was hilarious. The Trail of Lights was a 2 1/2 mile ride through pasture. They had buildings with animated characters in them. Along the way there were animals in the woods. In Hot Springs we did manage a hot springs bath .
There was a Cedar National Park just up the road from where we were staying....Mountain Cedar. The view from our unit was fantastic. We were on the water of Lake Hamilton. The lake side of the unit had wall to wall window in the living area and the bedroom. The bath room had a picture window so you could see out the bedroom windows. And the kitchen had an open breakfast bar so from the kitchen you could see out the living room windows...wall to wall. There were mirrors everywhere which brought the outside view in.
At Fordyce Bath House, which is the museum on Bath House Row, after much genealogy conversation and learning Fordyce is in my family tree by way of an aunt marrying a Fordyce, I was given a copy of Samuel Fordyce's autobiography. It is chocked full of conversation about the Bath House, the railroad and the Civil War.
Alfred bought us a beautiful nativity scene at Sight And Sound theater where we saw the play, Jonah. The whale even came out over the audience. Their plays are always awesome. He put the nativity scene on our fireplace mantel.
We spent 3 weeks in Hawaii in Sept and Oct and San Antonio ten days before we left for Hawaii. Alfred was seriously injured by falling in the water at the River Walk just outside the Convention Center. He developed cellulitis in his leg from the injuries incurred from that fall. He had two large skin tears that were bleeding a lot. He was not well until after our return from Hawaii. So, there was no swimming at the beach in Hawaii. We spent most of our time on the ship. Oahu is the only handicap friendly island. But we did go to Wiamea Canyon on Kauai. That is a most beautiful sight. The bus driver stopped at interesting historical places en-route to and from the canyon. It took several hours to get to the canyon.
hawaiistomnd@hotmail.com
WEBSITE DONATION
Many thanks to our classmates and friends, Lyn (Frasier) and Perry Lee for sending a check to help with the expense of running a website.
“MINI-REUNION”
December 20 was the date that fourteen gal classmates got together at Casa del Rio in Beaumont for lunch. It was kind of a last minute gathering that a couple of women put together. Their was laughter and crazy antics and a lot of fun. Those who were able to attend were Paula Daigle, Linda DeCuir, Florence “Sissie” Woods, Debbie Borres, Becky Harrison, Mary Wells, Cecelia Trevino, Diane Barker, Jane Lippincott, Cheryl Jones, Betty Steck, Linda Gothia, Juanita Perales and Adela Cantu. Guys were also invited, but I think were AFRAID! Even though there were many who were able to make it, the Saturday before Christmas was probably bad timing. Those attending set a date for another gathering.
This should give plenty of notice:
Classmates of TJ '68
Guys and gals invited
February 21, 2015
Olive Garden
Beaumont, TX on IH10
Noon
RSVP is a must (even a maybe is better than no response if you might make it)
(There isn't a “room” to reserve there.)
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Contact:
Mary Wells mwells@totalsafety.com
(409)460-8828 mobile
or
Linda DeCuir lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
(409)749-4879 mobile
LARRY'S FRENCH MARKET
GG Shinn and the Marval Band
Jan. 3, 2015
www.larrysfrenchmarket.com
3701 Pure Atlantic Rd
Groves, TX 77619
(409)962-3381
Will probably need reservations to sit and listen to the music and dance
MISCELLANEOUS
Diane Barker Foreman ran into classmates Bart and Laura (Meece) Darby and Sandy Goodyear Shook on a cruise.
Ronnie and Debbie Moerbe's daughter, Chelsie Ramos, was just installed as a new judge in the 246th Judicial District Court in Harris County, TX. Congratulations to Chelsie. Good job of being great role models, Ronnie and Debbie!
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
Dad has been having some dementia pychosis due to his urinary tract infection. (At least that is what the neurologist said.) We spent some time again in the ER. Not a place to be during flu season.
My sister spent five days with me from Christmas Eve to Dec. 28. We did fun things and had family gatherings. The usual. The two of us also took a day trip to see our brother, “Danny Boy” in Friendswood.
I FINALLY got my tree decorated Dec. 23rd. Hopefully, I won't have that wait again. I also decorated my two four foot trees. One is a SPORTS tree. One is the granddaughters' tree.
Speaking of granddaughters, my two are with their dad and other set of grandparents in Leadville, CO. The temp there is in the MINUS numbers at night! You have got to be kidding. They are renting a cabin and doing the usual Colorado things....learning to ski (second year for this), snow-shoeing, sledding, cross-country. My daughter, well she stayed home to “work”! That means on her days off she likes to clean the house and do things she doesn't usually have time for. You know, closets, blinds, fans, etc. Doesn't sound appealing to me.
The “beer lease” is about to end. Poor Murf. He did get a doe and is up there in Wiergate (near Newton) for the last weekend. He sure wants a buck. Fingers crossed.
My guy cousin from West Orange and I took a two day trip to the New Iberia, Loreauville, and St. Martinville, LA area the first of this week. I was on a mission to visit my first cousins to get some information for our DeCuir family tree. Another cousin, a Catholic deacon in San Antonio, is working on updating it. The trip was really successful on the information side of it. I went to the catholic cemetery in St. Martinville to also see my grandmother's grave on the Hollier (mom's) side. Yes, Fred Hollier is my cousin. No, the Hollier twins are not. A cemetery visit at St. Joseph's in Loreauville has my dad's parents, uncles, cousins, etc. The best part of this trip had to be visiting one on one with the cousins. Even though we have visited since I was born about twice a year, we usually see each other at a big gathering such as a funeral or crawfish boil. We laughed and told stories to each other that was priceless. They also learned a lot of info that they had forgotten or never known. Of course, I had a crazy time with some of the info about second and third cousins married three or four times! Too much info. Tears were also shed, not so much from sorrow but just from emotions that came from the visit itself. The oldest first cousin is almost ninety and the youngest is sixty. I think part of the crying on my part was knowing that maybe it was the last time I might see some of them.
SUPPORT
Paula Daigle Sheppard's brother, Robert “Robbie” Daigle, is having serious health issues. She has asked for prayers.
shepppms@att.net
from Dianne Dupre in Groves
Dec. 27
To all my family and friends. I wanted to update you on my health. My current weight loss is about 120 pounds. That is the good news. However, on Monday, December 15, I went into the hospital for what was supposed to be a routine heart ablasion. But, my surgeon found more problems with my heart than he expected. So, he had to go into my heart twice and I suffered a hematoma in the groan area. I spent five days in ICU and came home late Friday night. The days since have definitely not been fun!!! I did go to my Mom's for Christmas eve and day for a few hours. Thank God Maggie was able to get me there and home safely. I had to go in my house dress and slippers! (Still cannot wear regular clothes due to swelling) . However, I am so grateful to the Father for letting me be with my family for the holidays. Anyhow, I send belated love and holiday greetings to you all! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
(Diane can be found on Facebook)
from Pat Trahan Knox in Beaumont
Dec. 31
Well, my husband and sons and grandsons got home yesterday......all got deer. I was going to pick up my new granddaughter and a friend to take them to the mall. When turning, someone sped by me taking up just about the whole street, and I had to swerve to keep from hitting whoever it was. Short story, I had a wreck....knocked down a pole and was in the ditch. I also dropped my cell phone which got wet and is dead. We had to use the policeman's phone. He was very nice. Everyone said it's okay; they're glad I wasn't hurt. I was furious!!! Happy New Year to me.
patknox@hotmail.com
CONDOLENCES
Gloria Phillips Bradley
(death of her father, Gene Phillips)
Yesterday evening Jesus brought my Dad home to live. He is joining my Mother & brother in a Great reunion in Heaven!! We are so BLESSED to know where our Loved ones are ~ PRAISING & Thanking Jesus for All My Family! Please keep us in your Prayers as we journey home to be with family for my Dads funeral! BLESSINGS. gbradley73064@yahoo.com
We are saddened again to find out about another classmate's passing:
Judy Jones Sandifer
Feb. 4, 1950-Dec. 26, 2010
RIP
(Thanks to Amy Latiolais Kidder for this information. She happened to see Judy's name on our CLASSMATE'S LIST. Also, Glynn Myers, husband of classmate Loretta LaLonde, researched and found the date of death AND an obituary. The obituary may be found in our MEMORIAL section.)
Another year is here! Blessings and good health to you and yours during our MEDICARE years.
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com